CrP Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 A quick search of C-net discussion archive turned up only one thread on this topic, as best I can determine, namely, 21 August, 2004 : http://www.concertina.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=1444&hl=%2Bbird+%2Bcall&do=findComment&comment=13484 So, allow me to pique your curiosity, if I may -- does anyone nowadays still use the novelty buttons? I'd appreciate hearing some guesses -- or informed research, for that matter -- on how they were used in the past. My guess is it would have been in connexion with song accompaniment, probably in popular/folk/non-classical settings, e.g., music hall, comedy, dialect and folk culture [with a small "c"] genres. Of the instruments I've seen & played, admittedly all anglo concertinas -- Jeffries, Lachenals, Jones -- many if not most of those from the late 19th century through the first decades of the 20th seem to have the novelty buttons/sounds as standard on anything much more than 30-key anglos. So, comments. anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Wooff Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 (edited) I don't recall ever seeing one of these 'novelty' buttons on an English or Duet..... though they are sure to exist. Edited November 8, 2014 by Geoff Wooff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Jowaisas Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 I'm presently tuning a Lachenal New Model Chidley system duet that has a bird call and baby cry on the RH side adjacent to the "normal" layout. Greg BTW I have a long term 40b anglo project on the workbench that has a "duck call". The novelty mechanism extends into the bellows and emits a satisfying "quack" when used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene S. Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 I don't recall ever seeing one of these 'novelty' buttons on an English or Duet..... though they are sure to exist. As I recall Dirge actually bought a Maccann duet which had a couple of novelty buttons on it a couple of years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Chambers Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 They exist Geoff, but they're extremely rare - I can only remember seeing one Edeophone English that was made with whistle and squeakers, and that was 40 years ago, and I've heard of a duet... But I do have a 10-key melodeon that was made with bird whistle, squeakers, cuckoo AND a vox humana ("tremolodeon") stop, whilst a bell (or two) used to be a common feature on early melodeons! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nighthawk Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Is there a video of someone playing a concertina with these novelty buttons? Or would someone who owns one be willing to record it? I've never heard one and am curious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrP Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 Yes, good question. I'd love to see a Video or learn of a recording that demonstrates the use of the novelty sounds. Surely there must be some old 78's of Vaudeville or (more likely) British music-hall comedy performers who used concertina as part of their "shtick". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Ghent Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 A few years ago I had a request for a 40 key C/G with bird call and baby cry. Rather than remake the actuating devices I reused a couple from a donor instrument, courtsy of Malcom Clapp. I don't know how much the owner uses them, she was doing work in schools at the time and planned to employ them there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Thompson Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 I have a siren and bird whistle on my Lachenal Crane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Jowaisas Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 In a ramble through the Wheatstone ledgers I came across an English "with cocks crow" serial # 31290 and a model 37A (McCann duet?) 58 keys with "cock's crow and whistle" serial # 29850. Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Besser Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 So, allow me to pique your curiosity, if I may -- does anyone nowadays still use the novelty buttons? I'd appreciate hearing some guesses -- or informed research, for that matter -- on how they were used in the past. My guess is it would have been in connexion with song accompaniment, probably in popular/folk/non-classical settings, e.g., music hall, comedy, dialect and folk culture [with a small "c"] genres. I have a high bird whistle on my 30 button Lachenal/Dipper. I use it very rarely. In one gimmicky border dance set we do, I sometimes use it on one of the choruses to go with very quiet stick clashes. Gets a laugh from the audience. The few times I've played for kids, they like the 'bird in the concertina.' But honestly, one of these days I'll have it replaced with a useful note! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewVanitas Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 Now I'm really interested to see some examples of this on YouTube for posterity! Are these specialty reeds terribly hard to make, a lost art? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrP Posted November 14, 2014 Author Share Posted November 14, 2014 Same as Matt, I'd love to see & hear some examples. I'm curious to know if anyone these days has incorporated any of the novelty sounds into more than a single or occasional "show-off" piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Ghent Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 But honestly, one of these days I'll have it replaced with a useful note!There is not usually much in the way of structure around the novelties, just a tiny chamber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genepinefield Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 (edited) Hello, awesome gimmick concertina, that found on ebay,I update this topic, Quote Not only does this Concertina play it also has some special effects - my father believes 20 in total. The special effects it does is between Whistles and Honks etc which would have been for stage plays. He believes it was played at a stage in Vauderville. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325259378720?hash=item4bbaf84020:g:A~4AAOSwxGlixx66&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0OB44NgBpuw25apaVgtP4hH9gP1IuapvgfhuYFeKLL22jWYvpWXiylMfuGeWel51sftvb7ViHjeEmpHRatQV0MDe%2BD%2FlQ6GuuN7smIRAfnffWSqL6PZ3arIqGDED6p3fmP1fCBDGyq62iL%2FE6jvAWjB5G4ACQXVvJuqXp%2BgaOLNpLA2w1pVwEqcBguQjcFScBSwYwbRI1RJ7mgVrl7DYQiwoVppGgKdbebvh27UbXNSf2njVDJey2m4eIjDTY7bg%2FQrwsfO1rTtCy%2Bt1pGQI5mo%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR_qlzL70YQ Edited April 21 by genepinefield Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIMON GABRIELOW Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 Very interesting [ very expensive too!] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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